Over the last month I've had a few sets of visitors. They invaded my space, made me miss lectures, and stressed me out... But I wouldn't have traded a second of their visits for the world! First came my sisters, or as we put it: The Bitto Sisters Took the UK.
It was Steph's first time in Wales and Ashley's first time out of the US ever! How awesome is that? They flew out of Dulles into Heathrow and made it to Cardiff all on their own on the 209 coach where I collected them and brought them Welsh cakes. (I think Ashley may turn into a Welsh Cake, there will be further updates on that in the coming months)
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| We have trained her well, the excited thumbs up face from the airport |
I got to take them to many castles, Cardiff and Caerphilly and Coch, and they were quite tourist troopers for the part of the visit I had with them. Who knew there was that kind of climb up to Castell Coch? (If you're interested you take the 26 from Cardiff and the bus driver will tell you when you get off). I'm pretty sure I almost died... or maybe I just need to get myself to the gym again.
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| Coch! (Say it as you please) |
We kept finding them everywhere. I think I just made have a thing for funny signs. They just make me laugh. And in Wales, they are in Welsh (which I think may be a made up language that people use because they were tricked into it, similar to Scientology) and English! We got to make it to some amazing places, but this is what was best of all. When the three of us walked through Bute Park... Which I believe I have previously discussed as my favourite place in the world. Steph documented this well and here are a few.
The Bitto girls did well when we ran around and travelled, so much so that this is what happened when we came home, it was nap time.
Well sadly my sisters left after a couple of short days... But then next came John! We spent more time with people rather than travelling around. But I did get to have a private tour of Cardiff Castel, that was amazing!! We got to show him what Cardiff really has to offer: Rugby! We didn't end up watching the match anywhere but in my room, but that is because the city was flowing with French people! (Not that I have anything against the French, but as my friend Catherine said: Honestly, who likes the French?) So we stayed home and watched online. We watched WALES WIN A GRAND SLAM (therefore also the six nations). We also did end up going out in the true University student style that same night, St. Patricks day! We bar crawled around the city and had a lot of fun getting some friends home that were a bit too drunk. But it was all worth it in the end! Here is what I learned from the many visitors:
1- Don't take sleep for granted, but don't let jet lag get in the way either
2- Show them everything you can, but make time for friends as well
3- Eat a lot of food, and make sure all visitors to Wales get Welsh Cakes (Go to the Cardiff Market to get them, and get lots of the original ones)
4- Be sure to walk them through Bute Park, if nothing else, it's lovely and it embodies the tradition of everything is better after a cup of tea and a walk
5- Clean your room before any visitors arrive, and clean it again when they leave (you have no idea how much stuff you accumulate)
6- You will have no personal space or time, embrace it. They won't be here long.
7- Know how to use the public transport, it's the easiest way!
8- Check your bank account regularly, visitors are expensive
9- Remember the importance of always having an umbrella, and teach them as well
10- Smile! People love you enough to come visit you! They flew a long way to be there!
I'll leave you with a last few pictures! Just to show how much fun we can be :)
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| Ashley, Steph, and Caitlin at Cardiff Castel |
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| John and I in Bute Park |
